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sambam_42's Reviews (309)
Did not finish this book. I got around halfway through and just couldn't slog my way through anymore. I'm not sure what it was but I feel bad I couldn't read this one all the way through.
This is a story about 2 mythical creatures who manage to find each other in the midst of 19th century New York City. It plays a lot with their origins, going back in time to the Jinni's past to flesh out details, and what they mean to each other. There were some parts that were slow and, to me personally, the tension didn't really make a big impression on me until the very end. There wasn't a big ebb and flow which I appreciate. Overall it was a great story and well written.
A fictional account of Aaron Burr's secret wife, of which there is little information. Given her status as slave in America there is not much history to go on so the author fills in with, what seems to me, a fairly likely story. By all accounts Burr was a very private man and, like most men of his time who had a wife (whether ailing or not), had an affair with a female slave in his household. Mary is a very likable character but I found the attachment portrayed in the novel as tenuous at best. I did not feel the devotion or romance she supposedly felt for him. Overall, though, it was a nice story and a good break from my medieval English drama.
4.5 stars. Another one of Jim Butcher's enthralling series. To me, not as captivating as the Dresden Files but this is still great read. Supposedly this book was born from a challenge that Butcher couldn't write a book about a Roman legion and Pokemon. That is a very accurate description. It has elements of Roman pomp and political backstabbing combined with elemental mystique. I really enjoyed this book and cant wait to get my hands on the second (as soon as it's available at my library).
A historical narrative about the lives women faced during the Tudor Reign. It starts with Elizabeth of York and Henry VII and moves all the way through the reign of Elizabeth I. It highlights the daily struggles women faced, unique women who stood out from the crowd, and the social injustices they faced as a result of their status. Some of the best stories featured those women who went around the norm (such as the two-time widow who continued to run her deceased husband's business) and those that succumbed to the horrible thinking of the times regarding witches and religion. There are some laughable quotes about women by contemporaries.
2.75 stars. I loved the first book and had very high hopes for this one. Unfortunately I was disappointed in this with some of overly descriptive narrative and repetitive phrases (every time she turned her car off, it seemed, Louisa sat and listened to the engine "tick down.") There was the necessary but weird chapter from Lily's POV that explained what was going on with her but seemed way out of place. Also, the while resolution of the Lily drama left me feeling spent and then wondering what could happen next. It was so climactic it felt like it should have been the end of the story. But no, there was Ambulance Sam drama at the end that had to be forced in. Overall a good way to see how Louisa deals with the aftermath of Will's death and how she moves on but executed more poorly than I would have liked.
Listened to this on audiobook, good narrators. The story is mostly written from Mata Hari's point of view in a series of letters she pens from her jail cell to her defense attorney. She paints a very compelling but bizarre painting of her life and what led to her trial and eventual execution. The third part of the story is a letter written by her attorney to her on the night before her execution detailing what he tried to do in her defense. To me, this was a much more compelling and interesting side of the story and far too short lived. Perhaps there wouldn't have been much to flesh out for a full fledged novel but the emotions and information were there to leave me wanting more.
I have multiple problems with this book. First, the language. Its verbose and sometimes unnecessarily descriptive. It was detra ting and added nothing to the story or imagery.
Second, and my biggest complaint, was the loud feministic sentiments that seem hollow and meaningless. She's the rich girl that just *has* to go into journalism and have messy relationships to make her stories sell. And don't even get me started about her views on abortion and adoption. Maybe I have a bias in that area since my son is adopted but that was very offputting. It all seems more to fit an idea of what a feminist during that time would be than creating a relatable person.
And lastly, the "love story" part. I am an admitted cynic so when she "falls in love" with him after 2 meetings, enough to stay by his side for 2 weeks while he recovers from his injuries, is too much to be believed.
Overall not impressed at all. Would not recommend. Was hoping for so much more.
Second, and my biggest complaint, was the loud feministic sentiments that seem hollow and meaningless. She's the rich girl that just *has* to go into journalism and have messy relationships to make her stories sell. And don't even get me started about her views on abortion and adoption. Maybe I have a bias in that area since my son is adopted but that was very offputting. It all seems more to fit an idea of what a feminist during that time would be than creating a relatable person.
And lastly, the "love story" part. I am an admitted cynic so when she "falls in love" with him after 2 meetings, enough to stay by his side for 2 weeks while he recovers from his injuries, is too much to be believed.
Overall not impressed at all. Would not recommend. Was hoping for so much more.